Valley of the Sun YMCA News

The Scottsdale/PV pool is closed today, 7/31/15, due to a broken pump. Our maintenance crew is working right now to replace the pump. In the interim, feel free to visit our Desert Foothills Family YMCA lap times. Thank you.

Please join us in welcoming back our Agua Fria High School Swim and Dive Teams! Practices begin in August and member Lap Lanes will be available in our Rec Pool between 3-5:30 August 3-21st and between 1-5:30 August 24-November 8th, 2015. Meet schedules will be posted soon so that you can come and support our local teams! We appreciate your continued support of our community youth programs!

When grilling, hazardous chemicals form. Some carcinogens in meats are concentrated in the fatty part of the meat, while others are formed when the fat drips onto coals, then they are deposited back onto food by smoke. These are currently listed by the Department of Health and Human Services as “reasonably expected to cause cancer in humans.” Don’t let that spoil your grilling fun! READ ON! 1. Take advantage of spices to keep your grilling as carcinogen-free as possible. 2. Grill veggies. Add citrus marinade for an extra antioxidant boost. 3. Trim fat to reduce drips & the resulting smoky…

Enjoy a date night while also supporting our Annual Community Support Campaign! One hundred percent of the proceeds from this night will help families in need in our community plus your contribution is tax deductible. All you have to do is sign up and drop the kids off for a fun night of swimming, movies, and pizza. Space is limited to fifty kids so hurry and sign up today! Care is available for children ages 2 and potty-trained -12 years old. Swimming will only be available for children ages 5 and up. We hope to see you there! When: August 21st,…

Check out two new youth personal training classes with Mike. Agility Conditioning The agility conditioning is a great class to help improve balance, core strength and muscular endurance. In addition to the agility training, each exercise will also focus on body awareness. This course is taught by a certified Personal Fitness Trainer. The training class will introduce the participants to basic exercises that are fun and challenging to help improve any sport or everyday activities. Ages 8-18 years are encouraged to join! Classes are in groups of 4 in age appropriate groups. Price listed is per individual for four (4)…

ATTENTION MEMBERS! Next Friday, the facility will be opening later than normal in the morning, 8:30am. APS will be shutting down the power to the Y in the early hours of the morning, and they anticipate being done at 8:30am. The reason for this is to connect our solar panels that make up the covered parking areas to the grid. We do apologize for the inconvenience and we thank you for planning ahead around this. This was the best option for day/time for them to come in and get this done quickly. The YMCA's across the valley will be open…

The Southwest Valley YMCA will be holding a lifeguard training in late July. Class dates are July 27-31. Full attendance for all five dates is required to receive certification. Click here for more information. This course is designed to provide the participants with the knowledge and skills to be a lifeguard and professional rescuer. Participants will be certified in CPR, Basic First Aid and Emergency Oxygen. The course presents information on the skills and knowledge lifeguards need in pool, lake, river, surf and waterpark environments. The comprehensive course offers up-to-date information. The course covers safety skills, accident prevention, scanning, guarding techniques, emergency systems, rescue skills, first aid in aquatic environments,…

Thanks to the United Way of Northern Arizona, the Flagstaff Y Preschool has received additional funds for Early Literacy Enrichment. These grants are provided to enhance children's literacy through activities in the focus areas of professional development and/or curriculum development. The Y preschool teachers will develop language and literacy centers, exposing students to a variety of developmental tools. Looking to spark an interest in language and reading, the additional tools will support not only students, but provide resources for staff and parents. Staff will educate parents about the importance of early literacy development and offer resources to incorporate language activities…

The APS Foundation announced today the grant recipients for its first funding distribution of 2015. Education grants awarded to 17 nonprofits located throughout the state of Arizona and the Four Corners area totaled more than $1.4 million. The Y received a $20,000 grant for Science Thursday at the YMCA. This program will introduce a weekly one-hour STEM-related project at nine after-school childcare sites in the Valley and Yuma, serving about 345 underserved children monthly. Since 2012, the APS Foundation has been committed to supporting nonprofits that advance knowledge in the field of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and other…

The Tempe YMCA is known for our very active seniors! We offer many senior classes that give seniors a great workout while also giving them a safe environment. Many seniors get a free fitness benefit through their insurance. Come into the Tempe YMCA today and ask about our senior discount or a free membership through your insurance. Evelyn who is 86 years old and is always tearing up the gym. She wants to defy age while seeking variety in her workouts! ‪

Check out the new format of our Mossa classes! Our Mossa fitness classes include Group Core, Group Power, Group Active, Group Centergy and Group Fight. Below are the trailers to each class. On July 4th we will have a special MEGA class 8:30am-11:00am which will include a condensed version of each of the Mossa classes. Click here for more information.

We will be open on the 4th of July from 7:00AM - 1:00PM. There will be a revised Group Fitness Schedule on the 4th of July weekend. Amazing Kids Center will be CLOSED on Saturday, July 4th. July 4th Weekend Group Fitness Schedule

Thank you to everyone who came out on Friday for the Dedication of the Erica Hoppin Lounge. A special thanks to Erica's family for making the trip to AZ to be there. Erica will forever be a part of our Y Family and in our hearts.

Due to Valley-wide Lifeguard Training being held at Lincoln the week of June 22, the pool will be down to two (2) lanes on the following days/times: Tuesday - Friday 10:00am - 3:00pm We apologize for any inconvenience. Regular pool usage will resume on Saturday, July 27.

There are a lot of fun things happening at the Mesa YMCA this summer. Click here to read more. SUMMER CAMP is in full swing! Swimming, D-Backs field trips, youth yoga...what's not to love. There are still a few spots available so register today! Posted by Mesa Family YMCA on Thursday, June 4, 2015

Thanks to a grant from the Phoenix Industrial Development Authority, youth from Maryvale will be learning, hands-on, what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur. Thirty youth will be selected to be a part of “Y-Knot”, a start-up pallet furniture making venture run by the Valley of the Sun YMCA Youth Workforce Development Program. Participants will earn their Kauffman entrepreneurial license and be involved in all aspects of running the business—from construction to marketing of this trendy furniture. The program starts in July. For more information, contact Jacob Hansen at 480-703-3103. Opportunity to build hand-on entrepreneurial skills through a pallet…

BE COOL...INDOOR SUMMER OPTION FROM THE Y! We are joining forces with Fit PHX and Meet Me Downtown to keep you moving all summer! Starting Monday, June 8th, enjoy a free, weekly Group Fight/Kick class 5:30-6:30pm, inside Civic Space park A.E. England Building, taught by Lincoln Downtown Family YMCA instructors. Click here for more information on how to register for Meet Me Downtown and receive discounts at Downtown businesses www.meetmedowntownphx.com

We are having a great start to the summer! Your safety is our first priority. Due to the high volume of people in the pool, we will be closing the slide at the 50 minute mark, Monday-Friday between 12-3pm. The lifeguards will also be asking all camp staff to exit the pool at those times to re-apply sunscreen and to make sure the campers are all staying hydrated. The slide will reopen and campers will re-enter the pool after a 10-minute break. Slide will close/campers will exit the recreational pool as follows: 12:50 PM 1:50 PM 2:50 PM Thank you for a fun,…

SHE ASKED….and a foundation answered – with $2,000!!! Congratulations to Kelly as she just secured a $2,000 donation to support the affordability of our youth programs. It took asking a family friend who they might know…and they did know someone! GREAT JOB!

The Downtown YMCA Residency program offers housing, but also supportive services for its residents. Those services can range from help obtaining community or government assistance to fun events. The Valley Christian High School Chorale group from Chandler performed on April 9 in the Lincoln Residence Program’s Dinner and Show. There were over 40 residents in attendance. The event, held in the Lincoln Downtown gym, also provided a free dinner and raffle prizes. “Having social events like this helps bring a sense of community within our Residence Program and gives us the opportunity to show the residents that we value and…

My Y Campaign week has certainly humbled us. The generosity of our Members is so appreciated, that words sometime escape us. It is your support that allows us to reach out to our community and support it through programs that enrich lives! Thank you, Reed, and all of our sponsors!!

The "Real Housewives of Cave Creek" (Team Angela Vasiloff & Company) has an outdoor ride for Drowning Prevention and Awareness and raises $1,000 for Frames for Family event! What a beautiful day for a ride!

We are in the home-stretch of our My Y Campaign! Our members have rallied to the tune of 64 Members donating and 44 of those DONATING $50 OR MORE! Please help us reach our goal of 136 MEMBER DONATIONS - $1, $5, $10, or more - every penny helps us reach out to our local communities of Cave Creek, Carefree, and North Scottsdale! Some of our causes include: Drowning Prevention and Awareness Military Family Support Affordable Youth Programs, Sports, and Clinics Desert Foothills Family YMCA is a non-profit organization. That means every penny of your donation goes to these and…

We love our Members and their desire to help us support their community. Your donations allow us to assist Military families with subsidized memberships, drowning awareness and prevention, affordable teen and youth programs, sports and clinics. Betsy, you are a star! Thank You!! [caption id="attachment_9427" align="alignnone" width="300"] We so appreciate our Members![/caption]

A Safari Night is planned (and Parent's need a night out)! Let your 3-10 year old hang out at the Amazing Kids Center for an evening filled with crafts, jungle challenges, making snacks, games and more! Parent's Night Out Flyer

Come out and show your support by wearing RED, WHITE, & BLUE or Camo!! When you give to our Annual Campaign, those dollars go directly to support military families in our community. In addition to wearing these colors, won't you consider DONATING today?

On March 31st Sundt Construction had their employees build 5 bikes. The only thing the employees knew was that they were building bikes for a team building exercise and did not know they were giving them away to 5 kids that participate in our after school program. The kids didn't know they were getting bikes either. It was all a big surprise! Once the bikes were reveled to the kids the employees adjusted the seats for the kids and gave them helmets to put on. The kids then rode their bikes outside, one of the kids excitingly said "I have…

This green fringe front / mid length / sexy fit fringe dress is perfect for those casual fall and winter days. This fringe dress looks stylish and trendy with a solid colored scarf for those extra cold days. You can wear this fringe dress with your work clothes or you can use it on the weekends with jeans and sneakers. It has a nice lining to prevent the wool from feeling itchy against your skin. It has nice large pockets for keeping your hands warm and you can keep your gloves in them when you aren’t wearing them. If you…

Check in and let's go places! Create a March Across America Team with your co-workers and participate in the Lincoln Downtown Y Worksite Wellness Challenge. This is a team event, so the more people you recruit from your company, the better your chances of winning! Assemble a team with your co-workers and sign up! Every time a team member checks into the Y, your team earns 30 miles in your quest to March Across America. The challenge will run from March 25 - April 24 and the winner will be announced at our Healthy Kids Day event on Saturday, April…

In April we are releasing new Mossa programs. Attend Tempe's all four newly launched classes in the first week they are launched and be entered in a raffle! Anyone and everyone is welcomed including non-members! View the dates and examples of the classes below.

According to the U.S. National Association for Sport and Physical Education, children should accumulate at least 60 minutes, and up to several hours, of age appropriate physical activity on all, or most days of the week. Getting your child to enjoy exercise and movement doesn’t have to be a fancy or a complicated proposition. However, there are safety considerations one should take into account when planning family activities: proper UV protection proper hydration wheels = helmets activities for the entire family Stop in at the Y on Tuesday evenings at 6 PM for a FREE HOT TOPICS conversation on planning…

Desert Foothills is holding open interviews this THURSDAY, MARCH 5 for all Aquatics positions including Lifeguards, Swim Instructors, and Coaches. Not certified? We will offer certification to qualified candidates!! aquatics hiring event march 2015

Healthy Fun For All TIME: Clinics: February 24th and 26th 8:30am-10:30am COST: $5 for Members $15 for Non-Members Open Play begins March 3rd to continue through May 21st No courts March 24th & 26th due to Spring Break DAY/TIME: Tues/Thurs 8:30am-11:30am Cost: Free to Members $10 for Non-Members Click here for a pickleball flyer. Watch this pickleball feature from a California YMCA

Every day, inspiring youth endeavor to make the world a better place. Among those striving teens, undoubtedly a select few will realize that change can be set into motion in their own communities. The Y-T.E.A.M stands for The YMCA Teen Empowerment Advocacy Movement. Programs such as these are offered to youth all around the Maryvale community from the ages of 14 to 21. Mary Robertson, 21, is a long standing member of The Y-Team and various YMCA programs. Approaching nearly her three year mark in the program, Mary has managed to accept likewise opportunities such as The Y-achievers work readiness…

FITNESS BY THE NUMBERS When it comes to our health, there are dozens of numbers that swirl around us from weight to blood pressure to heart rate. But what do all these numbers really mean, and which ones truly matter when it comes to setting exercise goals? Click here for information about our FREE Community Day, 2-21-15! Here’s an overview of some key fitness figures that can be used to measure the success of your exercise and nutrition program: BMI (Body Mass Index): BMI is a tool that measures weight relative to height and creates a standard formula for determining…

The Lincoln Downtown Y has a variety of exciting options available to make your child's birthday party special! There will be lots of fun activities, games, swimming and much more! To book a party or for more information, contact Sherry Niemeier at 602-212-6341 or sniemeier@vosymca.org

A success story is everywhere you look when it comes to the YMCA. The Y-Achievers Work Readiness program continues to strive and thrive as these young adults courageously take their futures to new heights. Twenty-two year old Rey Rodriguez has been an active participant in the work readiness program for nearly a year. She has respectively taken advantage of our outstanding programs and was helped to find a part time job at a local valley YMCA. In 2008, she unfortunately withdrew herself from high school due to family affairs. Though strenuous as her situation might have been, her determination and hard…

The Desert Foothills Family YMCA is looking for early/mid morning certified lifeguards for weekday shifts. Get complimentary membership, a great work environment, and flexible schedule. Not certified but interested? Certifications are being offered in January! More details here: Lifeguard Position Contact Katie Smetana Executive Director ksmetana@vosymca.org (602) 212-6297

Building a Successful Fitness Future with Short Term Targets Feel like you’ve bitten off more than you can chew with your latest fitness ambition? According to the Association for Applied Sport Psychology, breaking down your objective into bite-sized goals, like achieving a distance, a time or a frequency, can provide the instant gratification you need to achieve your ultimate goal. Here are suggestions from the expert trainers at the Y for designing short-term targets that match the three most common fitness ambitions: Health Goals or feeling better, Fitness Goals or looking better and Performance Goals. If your aim is better…

The YMCA is excited to announce some accomplishments in regards to our Martial Arts Taekwondo program. Master Sergio Camacho, who has been training martial arts since 1975, chose and led four children to two different tournaments this past November. These children were amongst the first students to come from a YMCA Taekwondo program and first to go into a competition of any sort. Greenway High School was host to the local tournament called Phoenix Open on November 8th, 2014, which involved schools from all over Arizona. Three of the four students attending this competition were ten year old Desire Mendoza and Aniyah Perez and eight year old Luis…

YMCA housing began in the 1860s and the Lincoln Family Downtown YMCA remains one of the few Ys across the nation to maintain a housing program for men and women. As a non-profit, the Y strives to promote healthy living and social responsibility. Offering affordable housing assists those looking to get back on their feet and heal their spirits, minds and bodies. This Thanksgiving, the YMCA invited the entire community to be involved with assisting its residents. A three-week food drive enabled YMCA members to provide turkeys and non-perishable food items. On Thanksgiving Day, over 30 volunteers, including Y staff,…

The Biggest Mover is an 8-week contest where you can win prizes for participating in group fitness classes! Here is how it works: Pick up a Biggest Mover Workout Card (at the Welcome Center or Group Fitness rooms). Whenever you attend a class, ask the instructor to initial a box on the card. You get one point per workout and you can earn up to FIVE (5) points for working out each week. Turn in your card each week and pick up another one. You can also earn points for bringing friends to a group fitness class. Fill out a…

Here's an exciting article on our Black Mountain partnership and our 5-Year Anniversary in this month's ImagesAZ Magazine. Thank you to everyone who joined us for the celebrations on December 4. Read the article HERE.

Work, school, kids, friends, holiday parties – our days are so jammed with activities that it can be a struggle to fit in the things we love. Motivation to commit to a program is always a challenge during the Holidays. Let this be the December you get a JUMPSTART on your January success. Ride the JUMPSTART Circuit into 2015: Cardiovascular and strength circuit training is a total-body workout that involves performing a series of different exercises in one training session, alternating between intervals of strength training and cardiovascular exercise. Because the workout includes both strength and cardio training, exercisers will…

Work, school, kids, friends, holiday parties – our days are so jammed with activities that it can be a struggle to fit in the things we love. Motivation to commit to a program is always a challenge during the Holidays. Let this be the December you get a JUMPSTART on your January success. Ride the JUMPSTART Circuit into 2015: Cardiovascular and strength circuit training is a total-body workout that involves performing a series of different exercises in one training session, alternating between intervals of strength training and cardiovascular exercise. Because the workout includes both strength and cardio training, exercisers will…

Thank you to all the participants, volunteers and sponsors that made the Turkey Trot a success!! Below are some picture from the Turkey Trot. A big shout out to our sponsors Scottsdale Healthcare and Healthways, your help is what made this Turkey Trot a fun one!

Our Parents' Night Out was a HUGE success, in no small part to our Amazing Kids Center staff. They brought some Frozen characters to life. Who needs Disney Land? [gallery type=”slideshow” ids="6316,6315,6314,6313,6312,6311,6310,6309,6308,6307,6306"]

VOLUNTEER & NON-PROFIT APPRECIATION DAYS! We value what you do for our community and we want to express that! Starting this Friday, November 21st to Monday, November 24th, we will reverse the roles: We will CARE FOR YOU and invite you in. So to all folks employed at Non-profit organizations and to all volunteers, who serve the community at no cost, come to your YMCA on November 21 - 24, 2014, join the YMCA and the joining fee will be waived. This offer is for all personnel working in the non-profit realm or people who volunteer a significant portion of their time helping…

Are you ready to be Gator Strong? The Tempe Gators coaching staff has over 15 years of combined competitive swimming experience! Our coaches strive for all swimmers to achieve excellent stroke technique and peak athletic performance while maintaining a safe and fun environment at practice! Competitions are held once a month against other YMCA swim teams and there is an End of the Season Banquet! Click here for contact information. [caption id="attachment_9971" align="alignleft" width="474"] Second place trophy![/caption]

Meet Me Downtown Phoenix brings people of all ages to downtown Phoenix for a weekly social walk/run, engaging individuals and businesses in a vibrant event that showcases downtown Phoenix as a prime location for healthy activities. http://www.meetmedowntownphx.com/ This a FREE community event and you walk or run for as long or short as you like. This is not a race, but a pleasant social walk or run. Stay around after your walk for closing ceremonies and a weekly free raffle. Win gift certificates for local restaurants and other area businesses. Join a group of walkers from the Y! We'll meet…

Honoring Our Service Men and Women Come join us November 11th as we salute those who have dedicated themselves to serving our great country. We are opening our doors to everyone and offering a FREE 30 minute Boot Camp class at 7:30PM. For more information, click HERE for our Veteran's Day flyer.

The YMCA is celebrating volunteers across our state. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, more than 4,400 people of all ages and backgrounds are helping to meet local needs, strengthen communities, and increase civic engagement through national service in Arizona. These volunteers are serving at more than 730 locations throughout the state. We want to celebrate all those who give back to our incredible state. Perhaps the first and biggest benefit people get from volunteering is the satisfaction of incorporating service into their lives and making a difference in their community and country. The intangible benefits alone—such…

Benefits of Volunteering The YMCA is celebrating volunteers across our state. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, more than 4,400 people of all ages and backgrounds are helping to meet local needs, strengthen communities, and increase civic engagement through national service in Arizona. These volunteers are serving at more than 730 locations throughout the state. We want to celebrate all those who give back to our incredible state. Perhaps the first and biggest benefit people get from volunteering is the satisfaction of incorporating service into their lives and making a difference in their community and country. The…

Oct. 15, 2014 8am-12pm “Stop the Stress!” The vendor fair will include information about the benefits of Tai Chi and an opportunity to register for new session. We will have someone here offering reflexology, spinal analysis and chair massage. Light refreshments will be available. Open to the public. Here are some of the highlights from the fair. It was a huge success! Thank you for everyone that came out. A special thanks to Walgreen's for the flu shots, Dr.Wong for the back massages and Gena for the reflexology.

STEPS FOR ILLNESS PREVENTION In light of recent health events and with the cold and flu season upon us, we are all concerned about staying healthy. The YMCA would like to provide our members, visitors and staff alike a few reminders on how we keep our YMCA’s healthy and reduce the risk of spreading any illness. What we all must do: Wash your hands properly and often Cover your mouth/nose when you cough or sneeze Stay home if you or a child is ill Disinfect workout surfaces after each use What the Y is doing Provides disinfectants and sanitizers throughout our…

THE CHILDREN’S GARDEN In October 2009, the Children’s Garden, which is along the building just north of the main entrance, was created as a historical link to our new beginnings in the community. The garden contains over 200 bricks which celebrate the original two-year premier members who committed their support to our Desert Foothills Family YMCA. As we reflect on the Children’s Garden, we are honored and grateful for those and the other individuals who contributed to our presence here today. A significant component of our fifth year anniversary celebration is the introduction of another generation of commemorative bricks to…

October Healthy Living: Stop the Stress Reduce Tension and Anxiety with Exercise by Kerri O'Brien, Executive VP/COO Valley of the Sun YMCA Ask anyone who exercises regularly and aside from the weight and health benefits, they’ll likely say that exercise simply makes them “feel better.” Many experts, including the American Council on Exercise, agree that mood regulating chemicals in our brain are stimulated during exercise so we feel better – and consequently less stressed – after exercise. YMCA certified trainers and group fitness instructors offer these recommendations on some of the best stress-busting exercises: Reducing Anxiety Clinicians have found that…

NEED A LITTLE HELP TO DO A LITTLE GOOD? Make a Donation towards Senior Appreciation Week! The Y is a charity, dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. We don’t just strengthen individuals, we strengthen communities. Our senior population is often forgotten, and yet, we are building our community on their shoulders. From October 13 to 18, we want to honor our seniors with SENIOR APPRECIATION WEEK! Every Branch will have tons of activities, free to the visiting Seniors. And we need your help to make that happen. Please consider a one time donation of $10.00 for a…

The YMCA is offering a FREE early learning readiness program to support caregivers and the children they care for. The program provides a stimulating environment for ages 0 to 5 years and helpful education and support for caregivers. Caring and Learning For Me This program offers multiple play stations where caregivers will learn more about how children develop and how they can encourage learning and skill building at home. Kids engage in active play, while developing emotionally, verbally and socially Caregivers learn more about how to help your child be ready for school Caregivers of young children can meet and…

Monday, 9/8/14 - We are experiencing a lot of rain and flooding delays at all of our branch locations. Almost all of our branches are open. We are working to keep everyone updated via Facebook and Twitter. Please check your with your local branch regarding group fitness, pool or facility closures. Stay safe. Thank you for your understanding. Tempe branch is closed until 4 p.m. No group fitness or pool when it re-opens. Copper Basin - Branch closes at 1 pm. K-12 is closed. Preschool open until noon only. All Downtown Group Fitness Classes are cancelled until further notice. K-12…

HIGH OCTANE FUEL FOR THE DAY AHEAD You wouldn’t leave home for a road trip without filling your car’s gas tank, and you certainly wouldn’t fill your high-performance car with regular gas. The same goes for your body and taking on your day. It’s important that you eat the right foods and drink the best beverages throughout the day, to ensure your engine receives the maximum benefits from exercise. Mix carbs with protein: Carbohydrates, like pasta, provide the body with energy, and protein, like chicken is important for muscle building and repair. It’s essential to eat moderate amounts of both…

Congratulations to Coach Mike Trilli and the Ahwatukee Foothills Family YMCA Huskies! The Summer 2014 Jr. Suns Basketball season ended yesterday with a victory over "All in West" out of the Glendale YMCA 35-33 to clinch the D1 3rd/4th grade valley-wide Championships! Well done guys! Looking forward to the fall season.

Out With The Old, In With The New! We are happy to say that we have replaced all of our treadmills and exercise bikes. In addition, we have also brought in new stretching and cross-training machines and a functional fitness multi-station. Click here to hop on over to our Facebook page to see more pictures.

We're going solar! Starting Friday, August 29th the Northwest Valley Family YMCA will start a solar covered parking project that will last through the month of September. The covered solar parking structure will be covering the middle bank of parking spaces, affecting approximately 40 spaces . Parking will be restricted during the daytime hours while from 6am until approximately 3pm. We ask for your patience during our construction and appreciate your understanding.

Grace Ruby, a member of the 7:00 am circuit class at the Tempe YMCA, is one of the 10 finalists for the Richard L. Swanson Inspiration Award. The Richard L. Swanson Inspiration Award honors a member of Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness program whose healthy behavior has made a difference in his or her own life and perhaps has inspired others. Our board member, Bruce Jerde, who works for Healthways shared that there were over 240 entries. Gracie is very excited and grateful for being recognized. We encourage everybody to go to Facebook through the link below to vote for Grace. It’s become a very close competition. …

Aqua Zumba is the" pool party" workout for all ages. Perfect for those who are looking to make a splash be adding low impact, high-energy aquatic exercise to their fitness routine. HOW IT WORKS Aqua Zumba blends the Zumba philosophy with water resistance for one pool party you should not miss. BENEFITS There is less impact on your joins so you can really let loose. Water creates natural resistance which means every step is more challenging and help you tone your muscles. WHEN: Mondays 7:00pm beginning August 25, Lincoln Downtown YMCA Click here to search for more Aqua Zumba classes near…

Have you ever wanted to do a 5K but didn't know where to start? Are you looking to set a personal record for your next 5K? Come train with us for the 2014 Race 5K on October 18th. Our Y Race Bundle includes everything you need to succeed. When: Mondays or Wednesdays @ 5:30pm Cost: $175 Package Includes: 10 1/2-hour group personal training sessions 10 week comprehensive training plan Y Race Entry Tanita Assessment The first sessions starts Monday, August 18th so sign-up now! Check at the Welcome Center for more information.

Kona Ice came today to present the Desert Foothills Family YMCA with a check for $458.50, representing the proceeds from the Monday summer Shaved Ice Nights. These funds go directly to our Annual Community Support campaign for scholarships and helping to keep our programs affordable! Thanks Kona Ice.

Registration has begun for our 2014-15 after school programs. Sign up today at the front desk. Be sure to bring your child's immunization records. The YMCA's After School Programs offer quality care in a safe, secure environment. We offer a curriculum that appeals to kids, encourages self-expression and enriches social development. The program is fully state licensed.

Our art class is available on Thursday 4-5pm and/or Saturday 10 - 11am. The class will be taught by our award winning art instructor. This class is offered for preschoolers and older. We provide supplies and materials for the lessons. Class is held every Thursdays and Saturdays Facility Members—$60 per month (once a week- choose a day) Program Members—$75 per month (once a week - choose a day)

The Valley of the Sun YMCA requires a minimum of 12 participants or 75% of capacity to continue a group fitness class, regardless of the format. Group Fitness classes are subject to change or cancellation due to low attendance. There are currently 13 classes at the Scottsdale YMCA that could be cancelled unless attendance significantly increases. If you attend classes that regularly have 12 or more participants, you don’t have to worry about them being cancelled. Your attendance in a variety of fitness classes helps not only your health and fitness level, but that of your fellow members. Seven of…

Fifty-two miles into Sirena Dufault's quest to walk the entire 820-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail, the tongue of her right shoe pulled out. She could only laugh about it, hoping it might be the worst thing that happens during the 10 weeks or so she has mapped out for the trek. Read more...

Many people make New Year's resolutions each year with the best of intentions. Unfortunately, the majority of people give up in the first few weeks, only to resort back to their current lifestyle and wait another 11 months to try again. Frustration becomes the only constant because, try as we may, nothing seems to work. Sharon Lynn, group fitness coordinator and personal trainer at the Desert Foothills YMCA says, "One proven way to set effective goals is by using the SMART method". Read more...

The Ahwatukee Foothills Family YMCA, a nonprofit community service organization serving the Ahwatukee community, announced that it’s the recipient of a 2013 Arbonne Foundation Grant that will fund the Teen Employee University program to help serve young teens in our community through leadership development and community service learning. The Teen Employee University (TEU) program is taking registrations at the Ahwatukee Foothills YMCA for teens ages 14 and up. The Teen Employee University program will provide hands-on workshops in life skills, job readiness, communication and interview skills, finding the right job for your strengths, personal accountability, application process, interview skills and…

The Ahwatukee Foothills Family YMCA, a nonprofit organization serving the community, has opened the doors to its new “state-of-the-art” Team Ortho Youth and Teen Center, giving the children in the community an entertaining place to visit after school. Read more...

The Ahwatukee Foothills Family YMCA received a significant boost in funding for the upcoming teen center from a local resident and business owner. Although the YMCA has not yet collected all the necessary funds to begin the construction process, a significant six-figure donation was made by Dr. Ken Danyluk of Team Orthodontics to help them reach the goal. Read more...